The Best Kale Chips Recipe for Any Occasion

Kale chips are the perfect snack or side dish. They are easy to make, use minimal ingredients, and are packed with nutrients! The best part is, it tastes like you are eating junk food – but it’s healthy! Homemade kale chips can wow friends at a BBQ or serve as a side for a dinner party. Kale chips are appropriate for any occasion. 

A cup of kale contains 11% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin B6, 7% of your vitamin B2, and 6% of your recommended vitamin B1. B vitamins help your body convert nutrients into energy, making them essential for maintaining a healthy weight. Crispy, salty, and nutritional? Sign me up.

How to Make Kale Chips

The easiest and least messy way to make homemade kale chips is in the oven. Most importantly, you have to remove the central vein in the middle of the leaf because this part of the vegetable is hard to digest. Then you cut or rip the leaves into smaller pieces –  just not too small because they will curl up and shrink a little in the oven. 

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Get out your biggest cookie sheet and make sure it is lightly greased with cooking oil or spray. Lay the kale chips out flat, so they are not overlapping, season with salt and pepper. Some optional seasonings include garlic powder or cayenne pepper if you want them to have a kick! Then pour about half a cup of olive oil into a small bowl, grab a brush and lightly brush olive oil onto each piece of kale. Bake for 10 minutes on the top shelf in the oven, take them out and try to flip them all over and bake for a few more minutes until they are the level of crunchy that you are craving. 

Take out, let them cool, sprinkle with more salt if needed, and enjoy! 

Below are three of the best kale chip recipes: 

Crispy Kale Chips

Crispy baked kale chips are the best because the crunchy texture feels similar to eating a potato chip. However, these crunchy snacks are far more nutritious. 

Ingredients

• 1 head kale, washed and thoroughly dried
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Sea salt, for sprinkling

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
2. Remove the ribs from the kale and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Lay on a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil and salt. Bake until crisp, turning the leaves halfway through, about 20 minutes. Serve as finger food.

Seasoned Kale Chips

If you like extra flavor, then these are the kale chips for you. Topped with paprika and garlic powder, these crispy kale chips are delicious and addictive.

Ingredients

• 1 (6-ounce) bunch curly green kale
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt to taste

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
2. Remove stems from the kale leaves and chop into 1-inch to 2-inch pieces. Spin kale in a salad spinner to remove excess moisture or pat dry with paper towels. Transfer kale leaves to a large bowl.
3. Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and salt. Using your hands, gently massage the oil into leaves.
4. Spread kale leaves in a single layer onto a baking sheet or two. (Make sure leaves don’t overlap.)
5. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until kale leaves have darkened and dried. Let sit on the stovetop for 5 minutes to cool before serving.
6. Store extra chips in an airtight container.

BBQ Kale Chips

This is a great recipe for kale chips if you are looking for some added flavor and a little kick. Wow your friends with these easy to make, delicious oven-roasted kale chips. 

Ingredients

• 1 bunch kale, washed and dried (about 1 pound)
• Olive oil cooking spray, for spraying

BBQ Seasoning

• 1/4 cup paprika
• 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

Method

1. Preheat the oven 275 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Remove the thick stem from the kale and discard. Tear the kale leaves into small pieces. Lay the kale onto the prepared baking sheet and spray evenly with cooking spray. 
3. Bake until crispy and browned on the edges, tossing the kale halfway through, 18 to 20 minutes. 
4. Sprinkle the kale with BBQ Seasoning and serve.

BBQ Seasoning

Mix the paprika, ancho chile, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and dry mustard in a small bowl. 

Takeaway

Kale is packed full of nutritional value, but eating it raw can be less than appealing. Kale chips are an easy to make, delicious way to enjoy the benefits of the vegetable’s nutrients, but feel like you are eating junk food.